R. Lewis Is Next On Johnson's List

Ravens LB Takes Rival's Barbs in Stride

"I love that kid," Baltimore's Ray Lewis, above, said of the Bengals' Chad Johnson, who has playfully taunted Lewis in advance of Sunday's game. (By Matthew Gunby -- Associated Press)

OWINGS MILLS, Md., Nov. 1 -- The names on Chad Johnson's list -- "Who covered 85 in 2006?" -- usually tend to be those of defensive backs, the players who are most likely to line up against the flashy Cincinnati Bengals wide receiver. But this week, as the Bengals prepare for a key AFC North game against the Baltimore Ravens, Johnson has added someone else to his list.

The name: Ray Lewis, Baltimore's 6-foot-1, 250-pound linebacker.

Johnson's agenda: "Hit him in the mouth."

Lewis's response: Laughter. "For me to take that personal, seriously, that's like one of my kids saying, 'Daddy, I can beat you fighting,' " said Lewis, who missed both games against the Bengals last season with an injured hamstring. "I talk to this kid, I talk to Chad at least three or four times a week. It's football, man. If you don't have fun with this game, who will?"

Johnson and Lewis brought a little levity to what is otherwise an intense week. The Ravens (5-2) have a chance to take control of the division at the season's halfway point; a victory would give them a two-game lead over Cincinnati (4-3), the defending AFC North champion.

This rivalry was dominated by Baltimore, but the Bengals have won the past three meetings, putting up 30 points per game. Johnson and fellow wide receiver T.J. Houshmandzadeh are two reasons why; they've burned the Ravens in those three games. Johnson has 20 catches for 340 yards and three touchdowns, and Houshmandzadeh has 24 catches for 379 yards and two touchdowns.

"The Bengals always present a challenge," Baltimore cornerback Chris McAlister said. "What else can you say about them? Us as a defense, we just have to stay true to our technique, go out and execute our defense as we have in the past, or as we did in the first four games. The bottom line is stopping the ball from going over our head. If we can do that, it's going to be hard for anybody to score any points against us."

Baltimore's defense is ranked third in the NFL in total yards per game (273.6), but its past two opponents -- Carolina and New Orleans -- each gained more than 400 yards, mainly passing. The Panthers' Jake Delhomme threw for 365 yards and the Saints' Drew Brees passed for 383 yards. The five touchdowns given up by the Ravens in those two games have all come on pass plays of 25 yards or longer.

"We've got to get a handle on the big plays," Coach Brian Billick said. "Clearly, that is the number one thing, and certainly against a team like Cincinnati, we better get it under control. They could light this thing up if we don't handle the deep ball better."

But both the Panthers (58 rushing yards) and Saints (35 rushing yards) were forced to throw because they couldn't muster rushing production. Nearly half of New Orleans's yardage was gained after the Ravens built a 35-7 lead.

"Of course, do we have a standard? Heck yeah," Lewis said. "We don't like people to catch balls. But when you're up by as many points as that, we're not going to play the same style defense we always play. There are some things that's really kind of misconstrued, but if people want to take it that way, take it that way. I just tell you to be careful."

The Ravens are fully aware of the threat Johnson presents. He has been double- and triple-teamed throughout the season and, as a result, has only two touchdown catches. But he has played well against Baltimore. Johnson has three 100-yard receiving games in his career against the Ravens, and he has averaged six catches and 96.5 yards in his past eight games with Baltimore.

He says Baltimore is one of the teams he really gets motivated to play and that he has something special planned in the event he scores against the Ravens. (When asked if he was practicing Lewis's signature dance, he responded: "You know what? That's a good one, but [Terrell Owens] did it already, so I can't go there.") Baltimore cornerback Samari Rolle is one of Johnson's childhood friends, and Johnson considers McAlister to be one of the top cornerbacks in the league.

"Chris and Samari have made the list before and haven't been able to do the job," the 6-foot-1, 192-pound Johnson said. "So I'm going to go ahead and move up in the ranks."

And that is fine with Lewis.

"I love that kid," Lewis said. "Whatever he says, let him say it. One thing about it, the ball will be snapped. The whistle will blow. If that's the way he feels, it's going to be a real good game. If he's looking to come across the middle, we might meet."